Page 10 of Abigail
Straw is pacing his room. He should be relaxing from his cross-country trip, but after what happened downstairs when they arrived at the hotel, has him on edge. The woman of his literal dreams is downstairs working the front desk. Not only that, she’s being mistreated by some asshole, douche bag, boss. The shit of it is, she was more worried about getting fired than him shoving her around. And that seriously pisses Straw off to no end. She should not be allowing someone to treat her that way.
He can’t decide what he should do. Should he go down and tell her he knows who she is and what she’s hiding from? He’s afraid if he confronts her, she will bolt and be lost to him again. However, he can’t stand the thought of her being mistreated. He wants to take her away from all this. Which is crazy. She doesn’t know him and he doesn’t know her, but that doesn’t keep him from wanting to protect her. Crazy! He is trying to make a decision on what to do when there was a knock at the door. In his agitated state, he stomps to the door and checks the peephole, seeing Tank standing in the hallway. He jerks the door open.
“What do you want?” Straw huffs as he opens the door. Tank eyes him for a beat then pushes his way into the room. Straw shakes his head as he turns to shut the door. Once it’s closed, he turns to his friend. In the last week he’s only spoken a handful of words to the man. Most of that was a yes or no to answer a question from Tank. That is surprising as they share a house, but thankfully for Straw, it’s a big house, and Tank has given him his space to get himself sorted. To say their friendship is strained is a freaking monumental understatement, and apparently his allotted time to get straight is over.
“I came to see if you’re ready to talk your shit out,” Tank states coolly, as if this isn’t a massive strain on their near lifelong friendship. Straw’s hand comes to cover his eyes as he is again shaking his head to the negative. He blows out a huge breath before he drops his hand and locks eyes with his friend.
“I know what happened at Hawk’s was wrong. Hell, it’s unforgivable,” Straw begins. He throws his hand up to halt whatever Tank is about to say. He needs to get this out. “I also know you are only trying to be a good friend and help me get my head straight, but I’m not in a place to talk about it yet.” Tank gives him a hard stare. Straw is about to tell him to leave when the big man sighs and shakes his head.
“Straw, man we been friends over twenty years,” Tank begins. “I know something has been eating at you for a long time. You don’t want to discuss it. I understand that, but I just want to remind to you that letting shit fester only makes it more difficult to rid yourself of the poison later. I’m here whenever you feel like you want to let it out.”
“Thanks, Tank.” Straw gives his friend a sad smile. “I appreciate it. I just a little need more time.”
“Also, I want you to know I will not sit back and let you spiral out of control,” Tank continues like Straw hadn’t even spoken. “So just know, I’ll give you a little more time to get ready, but if you continue on this self-destructive path, I will intervene. The team has been pushing for an ‘intervention’.” Straw almost laughs when Tank makes air quotes, but he is too pissed that the team thinks he needs an intervention to laugh, so he just rolls his eyes and waits for his friend to continue. “But I have convinced them to give me time to help you work it out. I know that is going to piss you off, but man, we all see it. You do a good job trying to hide yourself, but I see you friend. What I’ve been seeing these last few years has been concerning, but it’s gotten worse in the last couple of months. I hear you up all hours of the night.”Shit!Straw didn’t think Tank knew about his sleeping issues. “I also hear your nightmares. Now I’m fucking worried about you. I know how strong you are. Men like us don’t talk about feelings and shit, but man, we’ve both seen our brothers struggle through the shit that we live with day in and day out while out in the field. None of us are strangers to nightmares, insomnia, and the occasional need to drink that shit away. However, I don’t think your shit has fuck to do with our job, but regardless of what’s caused it, it has to be dealt with. We’ve all seen guys that couldn’t work shit out on their own and end up doing something stupid that ends their career or worse…their life. So, I’m letting you know, the clock is ticking. I’m not going to let that happen to you.”
“Well fuck, Tank. Thanks for letting me know everyone thinks I’m a nut case, but while you’re at it why don’t you tell me how you really feel?” Straw replies sarcastically.
“Just did, brother,” Tank replies. “Now, if your over being pissy and feeling sorry for yourself, how about we go down to the bar and have a drink?” Tank raises a brow in question. Damn, Straw can’t be mad at his friend. The two men have been through too much shit together over the years. Maybe he should unload some of this shit on his friend and ask for his advice on what Straw should do about Abigail. Additionally this gives him a reason to be in the lobby and he can check on the beauty while he’s down there. Straw nods his agreement, and the friends head out of the room and to the elevators.
Exiting the elevators, Straw looks to the check-in counter. Abigail is working away on her computer. A line has formed as several people are apparently here to check into the hotel. Another woman is at a second computer also checking in guests. There’s no sign of Abigail’s asshole of a boss. Just thinking about that fuckwad putting his hands on Abigail makes Straw see red. He doesn’t realize he is staring until Abi suddenly looks in his direction as if she can feel his eyes on her. Due to the distance, he can’t be sure of her reaction to him staring at her, but he hopes it doesn’t freak her out. He needn’t worry. She gives him a smile. When he gives her a chin lift, her smile broadens then she turns back to her customer. He forces himself to look away and notices Tank is standing in the door of the bar facing Straw, but he has turned his head to look over his shoulder at Abigail. When he looks back at Straw, his brow creases, and his lips pinch tight.Fuck! Shit!Dammit!Tank knows him too well. Just from that little exchange, Tank has deduced that Abigail means something to Straw. More than just them intervening on the woman’s behalf. Now he will have to spill his guts to his friend. His time just ran out. With a sigh, Straw heads toward his friend to face the music. He glances at Abigail once more before he enters the bar closely followed by Tank.
“Welcome, how many in your party?” a hostess greets them as they enter.
“Just two,” Tank answers. “We can sit at the bar if that’s okay.” Before the hostess can reply, Straw interjects.
“I would prefer a view of the lobby please.” Tank’s head jerks in Straw’s direction. Straw just shrugs his shoulders. Tank grins and shakes his head.
“Would you like a booth or a table?” the woman inquires.
“Either is fine,” Straw replies. She nods as she looks down at her hostess stand. Using a black dry erase marker, she makes some scribbles then looks up at them. “Follow me, please.”
She begins to lead them to a table with a great view of the lobby, but Straw’s back will be to the door of the bar. Normally, this would unnerve him to have his back to the door, but Tank moves to sit where he can see the door to the bar. Straw relaxes as he knows Tank will have his six.
“Tabitha will be your waitress,” the hostess informs them. “She’ll be right with you.” Then she’s gone.
“So…” Tank’s eyebrow shoots up.Fuck!He isn’t even going to let Straw at least get one drink in before he starts in on him. Straw is trying to gather his thoughts on how to begin when the waitress appears, saving him from having to answer right away. Once the drinks are ordered and the waitress is gone, Tank is again piercing Straw with his intense gaze.
“I’m not sure exactly where to begin,” Straw admits.
“What’s that mean?” Tank inquires.
“You’re going to think I need to be committed,” Straw answers honestly. Tank’s eyebrow nearly disappears into his hairline at Straw’s admission. Straw sighs and decides to just spew it all out and he will back up and fill gaps if he needs to. Straw proceeds to fill Tank in on the night his childhood friend’s, mother was killed and how hard it’d been to deal with losing contact her when she’d been snatched from the foster home they’d shared. Then he fast forwards to the news report from four years ago about Abigail Miller being sought out by the police and how seeing her picture had affected him, causing him to dream of Abi again and the two blending together in his dreams. Then, he confesses the outlandish conclusion he’s reached since arriving at the hotel and seeing Abigail in person. Abigail and Abi are one in the same. He knows it sounds crazy, but when he locked eyes with her, he knew without a doubt, and he is fairly certain she felt it too. The way her eyes squinted. She’d looked thoughtful for a moment, and then he swore she recognized him too, but she quickly schooled her features and locked it down before dismissing Brent’s behavior.
“Fuck, brother!” Tank exclaims. “I knew you were going through some shit, but this is a lot.” Straw’s shoulders hunch. He hopes that Tank won’t think he is insane, and will back him up in helping Abigail work out whatever had happened in South Carolina. The detective has been evasive about the details of the incident. He never fails to speak with Straw anytime he calls him to inquire about where they are on finding Abigail, but when he questions about what charges are levied against the beauty, the detective evades his questions. The last time they spoke, Straw had once again tried to question him and the man had told him that the military had asked they keep it quiet. That the military is handling it themselves, but if the detective locates the woman they want to be informed immediately.
“What do you need from me?” Tank’s question catches Straw off guard. Apparently, the surprise shines on his face. “What? You thinking I wouldn’t help you?”
“I was hoping you would,” Straw answers. “But I know that I sound insane. What are the chances that a girl I met when I was seven years old in a drug house in another state, would be the same woman I see on the news as an adult, and furthermore, be the same one over there working in the very hotel we happen to be staying at on the other side of the country?” Straw looks at his friend. When Tank meets his gaze, Straw raises an eyebrow in question.
“Well brother,” Tank begins. “I have to say it is a lot to take in, but I in no way think you are crazy. We both know to trust our instincts and if your gut is telling you she’s that girl, then I’m with you. Whatever you need.” Straw is shocked into silence. He’s always known that his brothers on the team have his back, but he thought that them having his back on this is asking for too much. He should have known that Tank would have his back. Straw smiles big at his friend.
“Thanks.” Straw looks again toward the check-in desk. Abigail is still working with a smile on her face. He looks at his watch to check the time. She’s been working a long shift. He’s wondering what time she might be getting off work when he notices her speaking to the other woman at the counter. Her smile is so beautiful. He wants to see it cast his way. Tank’s chuckle draws his attention.
“What’s funny?” Straw asks his friend. He smiles at his friend’s laughter even though he has no idea what Tank is finding so funny.
“You have it bad, brother,” Tank continues to chuckle and shakes his head. Straw starts to deny, but catches himself then decides no use denying it. Tank can read him like a book. He elects for honesty.
“Brother, you have no idea.” Straw laughs, too, and turns to look at Abigail again. She’s walking into the back office, which sets Straw on edge. He’s worried for her safety. He gets up and Tank grabs his forearm.
